Which DIY CNC router for guitars

[phil m]

Hi,

Have been reading a lot of CNCZone for the last few days. I'm a bass guitar builder and would like to build myself a cheap DIY CNC router for making basses.

Here's what I want to do with it:
Cut necks and bodies from solid hardwood blocks, carve tops, cut pickup flatworks out of forbon, cut fingerboards for inlays, radius fingerboards. I want to run this with a decent router like a Makita 3612 or Hitachi MV12

I've seen the Jgro and Joes2006 on the DIY section. They both look affordable enough to build. Is any one of those two up to what I want to use it for?

[Khalid]

Hmm if u r in business.. then make a router of steel... This will last longer and sturdy...Joe2006 has a proven design though i not tested yet...
Regards
KFK

[dertsap]

Joe's build would do well

[zabink]

phil,

I think a havier machine would do best for you and not a MDF machine. Especially if its for your business. For just a few more dollars you can build a nice machine rather than an okay machine. This will probably save you a lot of headaches in the future. As for which design is bes I am not sure. There are many designs you can download.

I came across this site which is supposed to guide you through the whole process but I dont think its all uploaded yet.

http://www.cncroutersource.com/homemade-cnc-router.html

I'm sure someone can refer you do a good design. Keep us posted on your progress.

Keven

[Greolt]

G'day Phil

Depends a bit on your abilities and facilities. Sounds like you have some wood working skills and most likely equipment.

A well built MDF machine like a Joe2006 will out perform a sloppily built metal one. Cheaper too I would think.

Every builder I know of here in Aus has built steel and aluminium but that doesn't mean much if steel is out side your comfort zone.

There have been many of the Joe2007 built and I know some are used by guitar builders. Maybe some of them will respond to your thread.

Where in Aus are you ?

Greg

[Khalid]

Making steel frame router will not trouble u in future... It will be more reliable than a wooden frame router... I advise u to make the machine for one time and it will be atleast maintenance free in terms of base structure.. You have just to upgrade it interms of electronics parts in future...
One thing to addup that make the machine bigger in size keeping ur future needs.
Here U can see,Many of persons are upgrading to 2nd machine due to work envelop constraint.. I have designed my own steel frame router...N i m pretty happy with it...
Wish u best of luck

[Khalid]

N u r a business man.. so not go to cheap side... a little fault and u will hang up...

[phil m]

Thanks for all the replys guys,

To make it a little bit more clear, I'm a hobby bass guitar builder not a pro. However, I have sold custom builds and plan on selling more. I'm mostly interested in building a cheap "semi-pro" machine. If that machine can help me pump out 10-20 instruments a year I'd be more than happy with it.

I indeed have plenty of woodworking experience and own a decent amount of tools. I have also access to bigger woodworking machinery so the MDF builds should be no problem.

I've got zero experience with metalwork so I'd rather not try my hand with it at this stage. I've been reading more of the Joe 2006 R2 threads and I have to say it looks like a pretty sturdy machine, even for MDF. Studier would equal more precise no?

I'm also looking at building something under $1500, not including software or the router. It looks like that might fit the bill for me. If any aussies out there built a Joe 2006. I'd love to know how much it cost you.

Thanks for the help guys and keep it up with the suggestions and tips. I'm only in the brainstorming/planning mode for now

Greg, i'm in Brisbane, you?

[dertsap]

Joe's machine is plemty sturdy for what you need ,thats a well built and well thought out setup ,
accuracy is dependant on how well you build the machine no matter what material you use , ive built both mdf and steel frame routers and both were accurate and sturdy enough to cut aluminum if i feel the need to
one thing about mdf is it is cheap , you can build a good machine and find your likes and dislikes about the setup (r&d) ,and in the future can build a machine to your preference ,
many of us have build a second or third machine

[dertsap]

i you want to go steel
http://www.mechmate.com/

[Switcher]

This thread might help answer some of your ?'s

Also check out CyborgCNC's youtube video (link below).


http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41457


.

[Drakkn]

Hi

I started making a jrgo then changed
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37139
I am a guitar maker in the UK